Silly computer question??

[widgeon13]

I have an old Apple Powerbook G4 and a new Macbook Pro. The old one has Microsoft Office 04 and the new one doesn't. Is there any way I can get the Office software onto the new computer w/o having to buy a new copy. This shlt is expensive having to get another edition every time you get a new computer. The old G4 does not have Firewire either. I do have a separate hard drive for storage and downloading / preserving data. Appreciate any guidance.

[84porsche]

While I am not a Mac guy but in my experience with them, I don't believe there is anyway of copying software over and have it function besides cloning the hard drive which would probably give you all sorts of hardware issues. But then again, Macs are supposedly easier in this respect so maybe a Mac guy while chime in.

[widgeon13]

Thanks very much, that's what I expected. When I got the older G4, the MS Office was preloaded and the new Macpro has 08 Works (an Apple clone of Office) which is not necessarily compatible with Office files, a real PITA.

[masraum]

Did you get a restore CD with the original G4? You should be able to use the CD from the G4 to install to the macbook.

[widgeon13]

Unfortunately, I did not get restore discs. I was thinking the same thing.

[MysticLlama]

Actually, I think some of the older software for the Mac just installs all in the folder you run it from.

Just for kicks try to copy the Office folder to a USB stick or something and copy it to the new one and try to run it. It'll either work or blow up.

[kstar]

Rob is right; a drag and drop install should work for Office 2004.

It's an OS X based app, and I'm pretty sure you will not have problems.

For good measure, make sure you uninstall any trial/test drive versions you may have of Office on the newer machine.

Best,

Kurt


According to Univ. of Wyoming, it'll work:
http://www.uwyo.edu/ASKIT/displaydoc.asp?askitdocid=781&parentid=1

[id10t]

neooffice - its free, Free, and handles MS Office files no problem.

[motion]

Just copy the application and any files located in the same folder to your new Mac. Also, copy the preferences located in your user/prefs folder.

[widgeon13]

Thanks for all the info, I'll give it a shot.

[fxeditor]

You could try switching to open office at: www.openoffice.org It is a good suite of office products that have good compatibility with MS office files and the best part is it free!

[widgeon13]

I'm looking into openoffice.org and will see if it is compatible with Leopard. So far some of these options are not working w/ 10.5 yet. At least I'm learning some things and moving in the right direction.

Thanks,